12’x40’ mural of commemorating one of Dallas’ great figures, Stanley Marcus. Not only did he make Neiman Marcus a household name worldwide, but he also was instrumental in putting Dallas on the map as a center of art and culture.

Shannon Wynne commissioned this mural in the Cedars, where Stanley grew up as a way of celebrating his great contributions.

For local restaurateur Shannon Wynne, a two-story tribute to Stanley Marcus is not enough.

Wynne recently commissioned artist Brent Hale to paint a giant black-and-white mural of the larger-than-life man, smoking an oversize cigar, on the side of one of his properties in The Cedars, the historically Jewish neighborhood where Marcus grew up. “I just wanted to do a tribute to Stanley because his family grew up in the neighborhood and nobody’s done anything,” Wynne says.

-D Magazineby Kathy Wise Published in Frontburner January, 31,2019

Sketching it out.

Burrrr!!! Working at night in freezing rain, we blew up the art directly on the wall.

Grace Hale - my trusty assistant artist. I would be lost without her.

the scissor lift helps give a sense of scale.

Stanley’s granddaughter, Allison Smith and faithful art dog, Dia kept us company while we painted as well as photo documented our progress.

The Dallas Morning News Wrote a nice piece about the mural. And D Magazine gave a shout out as well.

GOOD PRESS. SPORTS DAY NOMINATES ONE OF MY LOGOS FOR BEST HIGH SCHOOL LOGO IN DFW

Sports Day has just nominated the Bishop Lynch High School logo for The SportsDayHS Logo Tournament. The BLHS logo was chosen from over 150 6A and private high schools in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex to compete for the honor which will be decided buy reader votes.

The BLHS Logo is a project that I worked on with Black Lab Creative in Dallas. The super talented team of Chad Costas, Brett Dougall, and Eddie Hale supplied the creative direction and I supplied the hands. The creative direction went something like this, “We want to have a Friar that looks kind, wise and can kick your butt.” We must have gotten it right, because, according to the editor of Sports Day, “My favorite logo in the entire area right here. You can't do much with a Friar and the school colors black and white, but this logo is visually appealing, strong and original. Bishop Lynch somehow created a Friar who looks like he can kick your butt and that's no small feat.”

Comments

Sadly, since the writing of this post, Brooks Gremmels past away. He truly was the heart and soul of Ben Wheeler, Texas. He rescued a tiny ghost town and put it back on the map. His energy, passion, and unique character will be greatly missed. And I can safely say, there will never be another Brooks. I am extremely grateful for the time I had working with him on all the renovation projects and town event promotions. But more than that, I am proud to say that he was my friend. I really miss that crazy guy.

One of my favorite ongoing projects is Ben Wheeler, Texas. Over the past 4 years I have been involved in the renovation and revitalization of this little community in East Texas about 40 minutes west of Tyler on Highway 64.

Several years ago a crazy guy named Brooks Gremmels retired to Ben Wheeler where he decided to revitalize the little ghost town and put it back on the map. Check out their website to read more about their story. http://www.benwheelertx.com

My first project was to paint a mural on the stage back wall in Moore’s Store - the old grocery store turned restaurant/music venue. Brooks is a huge car and music guy so we immediately hit it off. As I was painting a blue Model A roadster in the mural of old downtown Ben Wheeler he snuck up behind me and said, “I’ve got one exactly like that.” He would regularly bring one of his cars up to the store while I was working and once he let me drive his Cobra Daytona Coupe - what a rush.

That was the beginning of a great relationship. Since then I have designed several logos including the one for Ben Wheeler, Moore’s Store, and 3 Feral Hog Festivals. Brooks wanted to do another mural on the outside brick wall of one of the buildings soI worked up a nostalgic RC and Moon Pie design. I shot it over to RC Corporate and Moon Pie to get their permission to use their brands - which they did. Moon Pie wanted to know the back story of the town. When I told them, they said, “This is exactly the kind of community we want to be involved in. Would they be interested in putting on a Moon Pie Festival?” I told Brooks and he blew his curly white top. So plans are in the works to put on a Moon Pie Festival hopefully in the next year.

Brooks wanted a place to display some of his antique motorcycle collection so he opened Scoots and Scoops - an ice cream parlor / antique motorcycle museum. Inside you can take a break from the heat with a scoop or 2 of Blue Bell while looking over some smokin’ hot fully restored vintage Indians, Simplexes, Mustang scooters, Nortons as well as some crazy race bikes. My favorite is a fully decked out Indian Super Chief from the ’50’s.

They converted the old blacksmith shop into a trendy bistro where you can relax and enjoy a panini and a class of wine.

We’ve talked about putting in an art gallery where I could display some paintings. Maybe someday. Brooks said, “Really, this whole town is your gallery.” If you ever find yourself on Hwy 64, 30 miles east of Canton, swing through Ben Weeler - “The little town that could.” And, if you see a crazy guy with curly white hair stompin’ around, go tell him, “Hey.” You’ll be glad did.